thinkin about the AXE FX again.......

[Laskyman]

so, seems every so often you see a video, hear a clip, read another review, or talk to somebody who is completely gaga over the Fractal piece...I know I have been VERY impressed with what I have seen and heard...and every so often, I think about ditching gear to bring one in.....my rationale is that even if it doesnt work out, I could rebuild my board (I am not interested in selling my Electra Dyne....), and if it DID work out- well, then I would be pretty happy with the tools available to me....life is too short to *settle*...if there is something better out there- well, Im alive today...no point holding out for tomorrow....
anyone else out there go through the same kind of "gear cycle"?
Any AXE users want to help me make up my mind either way? I need the good, the bad, the ugly (even if that "ugly" really means "ridiculously cool")
I have recently been invited to play in a project that will be opening up for a well known group in a couple weeks- so I wont be making a hard decision before then- my rig sounds as I like it- but the more I research, and the more I hear/see/read about the AXE, the better of a value it seems to become....

Ok- lets hear fom you all- (and thanks to those of you I have already contacted privately)...

 

[screamingdaisy]

I would if I were gigging in one of those cover bands that wanted to sound as authentic as possible.

Other than that, I not really an uber-tweaker. I like to have a couple of different sounds available, but they have to be black and white differences. If my sounds get too close together I start to question which one works better for what and next thing you know I'm playing the same part over and over again 20 times trying to figure out which shade of gray works best.

And that is why I don't own an AxeFX.

 

[hawk269]

I think the Axe-FX is a great tool, but it's not for everybody. I can only talk about it's use in a FRFR setup since I've never run it with a power amp and cab.

It sounds great through my monitors and I'm able to get great results while recording. I think some people may get turned off trying to program it or feel overwhelmed by options. There are many advanced parameters available, but they don't need to be touched to get great sounds. The Axe allows me to record guitars quickly, quietly and they sound great.

I think the biggest thing comes down to whether you like options or like simplicity.

 

[Laskyman]

I think the biggest thing comes down to whether you like options or like simplicity.

Yes, I truly like both....

 

[MJ Slaughter]

I go through cycles myself. Use to play with just an old Marshall JMP amp with an EQ for boost, little chorus and delay. Then went the whole rack setup with pre/power amps, effects, midi controllers, switchers etc. In the end I've learned about myself that I like simple, good tone and though I like to be able to cover different tones/effects, in reality I find that as long as my tone is good I don't need to be able to sound like I have 10 different amps in my back-line or every conceivable effect. Live it just doesn't seem to matter that much. Good clean, crunch and OD works for me. The Axe FX is very intriguing to me and I do like to tinker but a good amp that sounds good as well as feels good, I like a real tube amp response, is what makes me play my best.

If I had the funds to spare I'd buy the Axe, a good monitor and controller. From my rough estimates the rig would cost around $3000-$3500. It would be fun to play with and maybe I could play it live in smaller venues and when I missed my tube amps the Axe would stay at home until the next cycle.

I use a GT-10 now, not for amp modeling, and at times I leave it at home and just bring my analog pedal board. There is something about individual pedals that I find fun. And they sound better in most cases than the GT-10 but the GT works great live. Sometimes my cycles are short and change from gig to gig. I probably need some kind of medication.

 

[ryjan]

I probably need some kind of medication.

We all do! :lol: I'd have bought and sold an Axe FX a long time ago but fortunately I realized I'd just have 20 different presets based on a Mark IV that I already own.

 

[Scary]

I probably need some kind of medication.

We all do! :lol: I'd have bought and sold an Axe FX a long time ago but fortunately I realized I'd just have 20 different presets based on a Mark IV that I already own.

Yeah, but you wouldn't have the dynamics or warmth of tubes. I know that dual core 500 mhz processor is good at emulating tubes but nothing is real unless it's real.

 

[Laskyman]

Yeah, but you wouldn't have the dynamics or warmth of tubes. I know that dual core 500 mhz processor is good at emulating tubes but nothing is real unless it's real.

I have heard some amazingly warm sounds produced by the axe fx...warmer than many of my friends tried and true tube amps...not trying to say that one is better than another, but the Axe FX seems to be pretty stinking cool....

 

[Scary]

Yeah, but you wouldn't have the dynamics or warmth of tubes. I know that dual core 500 mhz processor is good at emulating tubes but nothing is real unless it's real.

I have heard some amazingly warm sounds produced by the axe fx...warmer than many of my friends tried and true tube amps...not trying to say that one is better than another, but the Axe FX seems to be pretty stinking cool....

Don't get me wrong I want one for headphone jams and possibly in the FX loop. I'm just saying it's not a tube amp.

 

[t0aj15]

Yeah, but you wouldn't have the dynamics or warmth of tubes. I know that dual core 500 mhz processor is good at emulating tubes but nothing is real unless it's real.

I'm just saying it's not a tube amp.

I find it amusing that virtually all the folks making such comments are folks that have spent little or no time at all with the Axe-Fx. If they did these type of comments would cease.
It is quite simply a new standard in guitar amp/efx technologies and it's going to take time to convince the nay-sayers. In the few weeks since I got my Axe-Fx Ultra I can quite easily see now that all my (15-16) tube amps are expendable and will be sold, including the Boogie's.
To those that argue that it's not a tube amp I would agree and add that is a very good thing. No more tube reliability issues or questions of tube quality, type, or manufacturer. Just simple consistant reliability without having to worry about spare tubes or backup amps.
The fact that it is SOOO flexible in the ways it can be connected & used IMO just relegates tube amps to history/museums.
I believe this is the next evolution in sound creation, it's just going to take some time to bring some of the tube snobs kicking & screaming into the 21st century.

 

[screamingdaisy]

I find it amusing that virtually all the folks making such comments are folks that have spent little or no time at all with the Axe-Fx. If they did these type of comments would cease.

I've read a lot of those comments from former AxeFX users.

All of them admit that the Axe sounds good, but it's only about 90% there. I'm holding out for the 100% model.

 

[pokerrules47]

Yeah, but you wouldn't have the dynamics or warmth of tubes. I know that dual core 500 mhz processor is good at emulating tubes but nothing is real unless it's real.

Anyone that says this about the Axe-Fx simply has not used one, or even heard one live. The Axe-Fx is the real deal, plain and simple. With the right backline (Atomic powered speakers etc) these things are really difficult to judge. They are way more than just "headphone" or "studio" units.

Sure, there will always be people that hold on to their tube amps, but this is becoming more of a posterity move than anything with the introduction of the latest generation of high end modeling equipment.

There are a few units on the market that are poised to totally rape the market in the near future. (Fractal, Eleven Rack etc).

Now, I am not an Axe-FX user, but I have played one. I have also heard other people use them live. I am no spring chicken either. I got my first tube amp (handmade one) from a buddy when I was 14... 26 years ago. I have used marshalls, boogies, fenders, bogner, hughs and kettner, Dr Z and many other vendor's amps.

 

[ryjan]

Stop guys! The GAS pains are starting up again.

 

[Laskyman]

One isnt better than the other, in fact, I would love to have each- in my situation though, I simply can not afford to outright purchase an AXE FX- it would have to be a "budget neutral" transaction, meaning that I *will* have to part with some element of my rig if I choose to bring one in...(I have a mortgage and a family as many of you do...give a shout if you hear me)...
I have spent a long time and been through a tremendous amount of gear getting to where I am today- and it sounds, feels, plays great! A matter of fact, after rehearsal last night, I was second guessing my GAS- my rig kills...but it is a lot of carry....and it really cant be "opened up" when I am at home...and that seems like kind of a waste...plus there are a bunch of other variables that have me leaning toward a change (none of which have anything to do with the sound of the Electra Dyne....really love it).
Here are some cons of my current rig:
1) Heavy. Requires a cart to get in and out of venues.
2) Lots of connectivity, each one with a potential for problems.
3) Multiple steps involved to change sounds, effects, etc....
4) There is no such thing as an "all-in-one" amp...i.e: I am still looking for *my* monster crushing High Gain sound- means addition purchase, additional pedalboard space, additional connectivity, additional power, or additional amp, and additioanl weight...you get the picture right?
5) Cant really play it at home in the capacity it was designed because of the volume.
All of the above, to the greatest extent of my research, could potentially be solved by the AXE FX.


PROS:
1) My guitar rig sounds really, really good.

So, what to do?....keep researching...weigh the pros and cons (which on paper the AXE FX definately gets the advantage....)

I really dont care if it has tubes or not- I care if it sounds real good and lets me perform to the greatest of my ability...

my $.02

 

[ryjan]

Mortgage, wife, 2 kids, dogs, I hear ya. My Mark IV with a 4x12, G-Major, mini gizmo, and Midi footswitch is pretty versitile.
Plus side;
1. No question if I have one of the greatest tube tones and feel.
2. Looks really really cool.
3. I own a living breathing waypoint in boogie history.

Downsides;
1. It's a fragile, moody little ***** sometimes.
2. The magic of tubes is offset by the fact that it's technology developed 150 years ago. I liken it to being a racecar driver and having to use a steam powered car.
3. Heavy! And lots of it!
4. Extra tubes, fuses, cords, 9v batteries, etc.
5. Maintenence, ie, capacitors.
6. It takes me 5 trips from the truck to the stage to get all my sh!t in. Cab, head, guitar & cables, rack/effects, backup combo. (Axe-Fx in theory could be one trip. Rack in one hand and guitar in the other.)
7. Setup at gigs takes forever and someone always seems to kick or bump the mic for my cab.
8. Stage volume with a halfstack is sometimes a problem.
9. The soundguy almost always f#cks my tone up anyway.
10. Tone degradation through multiple pedals, effects, cords, etc.
11. Analog, handwired, boutique gear is hella expensive and it's neverending.

My Boogie sounds and feels so good that it's almost worth keeping. For working musicians though, it's kind of a no brainer.

 

[Scary]

Get one Laskyman! Don't forget to let us know how you like it. I'd be interested to know if you like the tones as much as your *dyne*.

 

[pokerrules47]

I've been using Guitar Rig for rehearsing. I plan on getting the Amplitube iRig once it's in retailers here in Canada. I don't care what my practicing sounds like as long as I can replicate any settings on my main rig. My band jams and plays regularly, so I am pretty good at tweaking things on the fly.

Having a "practice" rig is handy as hell. My family hates it when I crank up the roadster, and my mackies, to get a sound down.

 

[MJ Slaughter]

Get one Laskyman! Don't forget to let us know how you like it. I'd be interested to know if you like the tones as much as your *dyne*.

I second that and will jump on the Laskyman must get a Axe-FX bandwagon.

Pokerrules47, I use Guitar Rig 4 at home for learning songs and rehearsing as well. Save the tubes and keep my wife from asking "is that loud enough" which being a smart *** I reply no, thanks for asking and turn it up. Then it's not so happy times for me.

 

[screamingdaisy]

6. It takes me 5 trips from the truck to the stage to get all my sh!t in. Cab, head, guitar & cables, rack/effects, backup combo. (Axe-Fx in theory could be one trip. Rack in one hand and guitar in the other.)

The only real issue with this is the requirement to carry some sort of monitor. I mean, in theory you could rely on the venue/soundman to provide your monitoring, however that introduces all sorts of issues since he can't hear your monitor and we all know how well we play when our sound is really off.

The other option is in-ears... but that may be an issue for the rest of the band.

Still, it's certainly easier to carry an AxeFX and monitor than it is to carry multiple heads & cabs. For myself, I don't really need that many sounds, so a good channel switching head is all I really require.

 

[Scary]

"For myself, I don't really need that many sounds, so a good channel switching head is all I really require."

-same here. The way I see it, if I can't get it out of the 3 channels my FIVE has.. I don't need it.